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Before Treatment Begins
Nutrition Recommendations Can Be Different for Cancer Patients
Preparing Yourself for Cancer Treatment
When your cancer was first diagnosed, your doctor talked to you about a
treatment plan. This may have involved
surgery,
radiation therapy,
chemotherapy,
hormone therapy, and
biologic immunotherapy
or some combination of those treatments.
All of these methods of treating cancer kill
cells. In the process of killing the cancer cells, some healthy
cells are also damaged. That is what causes the side effects of cancer
treatment. Side effects that can affect your ability to eat include:
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loss of appetite
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changes in weight (either losing or gaining weight)
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sore mouth or throat
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dry mouth
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dental and gum problems
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changes in sense of taste or smell
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nausea/vomiting
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diarrhea
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lactose intolerance
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constipation
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fatigue and/or depression
You may or may not have any of these side effects. Many factors determine
whether you will have any and how severe they will be. These factors include
the type of cancer you have, the part of your body being treated, the type and
length of treatment, and the dose of treatment. The good news is that if you do
have side effects they can often be well-controlled. Most side effects also go
away after treatment ends. Your doctor or nurse can tell you more about your
chances of having side effects and what they might be like.
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Recommendations about food and eating for cancer patients can be very different
from the usual suggestions for healthful eating. This can be confusing for many
patients because these new suggestions may seem to be the opposite of what
they've always heard.
Nutrition recommendations usually stress eating lots of fruits,
vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals; including a moderate amount of
meat and dairy products; and cutting back on fat, sugar, alcohol, and salt.
More information and tips on these recommendations are covered in the section
After Treatment Ends.
Nutrition recommendations for cancer patients may focus on helping you eat more
higher
calorie foods that emphasize
protein. Recommendations might include eating or drinking more
milk, cream, cheese, and cooked eggs. Other suggestions might include
increasing your use of sauces and gravies, or changing your cooking methods to
include more butter, margarine, or oil. Sometimes, nutrition recommendations
for cancer patients suggest that you eat less of certain high-
fiber
foods because these foods can aggravate problems such as diarrhea or a sore
mouth.
Nutrition recommendations for cancer patients are different because they are
designed to help build up your strength and help you withstand the effects of
your cancer and its treatment. When you are healthy, eating enough food to get
the
nutrients
you need is usually not a problem. During cancer treatment, however, this can
become a challenge, especially if you have side effects or simply don't feel
well.
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Until your treatment actually starts, you won't know exactly what, if any, side
effects you may have or how you'll feel. One way to prepare is to think of your
treatment as a time for you to concentrate on yourself and on getting well.
Here are some other ways to get ready:
Think Positively
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Many people have few or no eating-related side effects. Even if you do, they
may be mild, and most go away after cancer treatment ends. Also, there are new
drugs now that can work well to control side effects.
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Having a positive attitude, talking out your feelings, becoming well-informed
about your cancer and treatment, and planning ways to cope can all help reduce
worry and anxiety, make you feel more in control, and help you keep your
appetite.
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Give food a chance. Even if you do have eating problems, you'll have days when
eating is a pleasure.
Eat a Healthy Diet
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A healthy diet is vital for a person's body to work its best. This is even more
important for cancer patients.
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If you've been eating a healthy diet, you'll go into treatment with reserves to
help keep up your strength, prevent body
tissue from breaking down, rebuild tissue, and maintain your
defenses against
infection.
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People who eat well are better able to cope with side effects. You may even be
able to handle higher doses of certain treatments. For example, we know that
some cancer treatments are actually much more effective if the patient is
well-nourished and getting enough calories and protein in his or her diet.
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Don't be afraid to try new foods. Some things you may never have liked before
may taste good to you during treatment.
Plan Ahead
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Stock the pantry and freezer with favorite foods so that you won't need to shop
as often. Include foods you know you can eat even when you are sick.
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Keep foods handy that need little or no preparation, for example, pudding,
peanut butter, tuna fish, cheese, and eggs.
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Do some cooking in advance and freeze in meal-sized portions.
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Talk to friends or family members about helping with shopping and cooking. Or,
ask a friend or family member to manage that job for you.
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Talk to a registered dietitian about your concerns and what you might expect.
She or he can give you ideas and help you plan meals. Ask for help in
developing a grocery list with foods that might help with potential side
effects, such as constipation or nausea. Ask about what has worked for other
patients.
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